India began their Women’s Asia Cup campaign with a comfortable 94-run win over Thailand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, although the convincing result could not completely mask another troubling batting collapse.
India looked set to post a huge score after a strong start, but their innings fell apart during the second half. They lost seven wickets for just 36 runs before Kranti Gaud’s late contribution helped them finish on 159/9.
Thailand failed to take advantage of India’s collapse, with the Indian bowling attack quickly taking control. Thailand were dismissed for 65 in 16.1 overs, giving India a dominant victory.
SHAFALI GIVES INDIA A FLYING START
India came out aggressively after being asked to bat, reaching 65/1 in the powerplay. Smriti Mandhana gave the innings early momentum with 19 from 10 deliveries, hitting four boundaries before being run out while trying to complete a second run.
Pratika Rawal, making her T20I debut, kept the scoring rate moving with a promising 22 off 18 balls. However, Shafali Verma was the main force behind India’s powerful opening phase.
The opener attacked the Thailand bowlers confidently and reached her 19th T20I fifty in only 26 balls. At 101/2 after 10 overs, India appeared firmly on course for a score of 180 or more.
But Thailand soon turned the momentum around.
THAILAND STAGE A FIGHTBACK
Rawal’s dismissal in the ninth over gave Thailand an opening, and they quickly capitalised. Shafali was dismissed shortly afterwards, caught and bowled by Suleeporn Laomi for an excellent 64 off 36 balls. Her innings included eight fours and three sixes.
Laomi played a major role in Thailand’s comeback, finishing with 3/26. After removing Rawal and Shafali, she returned to dismiss Richa Ghosh for a first-ball duck, putting India under unexpected pressure.
India’s middle order then struggled. Harmanpreet Kaur managed only five from nine balls, while Deepti Sharma was run out for five.
India slipped from 112/4 to 137/9, losing their final five wickets for just 25 runs.
Kranti Gaud provided an important late boost, remaining unbeaten on 15 from eight balls, including a six and a four, as India reached 159/9. The total looked modest considering their excellent start, but the bowlers soon proved it was more than sufficient.
DEEPTI PRODUCES LANDMARK BOWLING SPELL
Thailand needed to make a strong start to their chase, but India’s bowlers quickly seized control.
Kranti Gaud removed Natthakan Chantham early, before Nandani Sharma and Shree Charani continued to dismantle the Thailand batting order.
Nandani delivered an impressive spell of 3/18, including two wickets in consecutive deliveries, while Charani claimed 2/10. Prema Rawat also kept things tight, giving away only 11 runs in her four overs.
The biggest highlight came from Deepti Sharma. Making her 150th T20I appearance, she produced a stunning spell of 3/0 in just 1.1 overs.
Deepti took a wicket with her first delivery, claimed two wickets within her opening three balls and later returned to dismiss Nannapat Koncharoenkai with the final wicket of the innings.
The dismissal also created a major milestone for Deepti, who moved past Thailand captain Thipatcha Putthawong to become the leading wicket-taker in the history of Women’s T20Is.
Nannapat offered Thailand their only meaningful resistance, scoring 41 from 48 balls with five fours. However, wickets continued to fall around her, leaving her with little support. Thailand were eventually dismissed for 65 in 16.1 overs.
India’s bowling was highly effective, although their fielding remained an area of concern after they dropped two catches. Those mistakes did not hurt them against Thailand, but they will need to improve as the tournament progresses.
The victory puts India at the top of Group A. With Hong Kong next and a potentially more demanding match against Pakistan to follow, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team will be aware that improvements with the bat and in the field will be necessary.
